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The ICBA Newsroom collects and centralizes all the NewsWatch Today articles, press releases, Main Street Matters blogs, advocacy letters and other news that impacts community bankers.

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Charles Potts: Challenging the status quo

ICBA has preached the importance of innovation, not as a project or something to silo inside a department but as an inclusive cultural and philosophical endeavor that should be part of an organization’s DNA.
January 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Payments 

Jim Reber: Supply chain histrionics

To start the year, here are my thoughts on the municipal bond market.
January 01, 2022 | Independent Banker  

Aaron Stetter: Nonstop advocacy

ICBA stands at the ready to protect the franchise value of the nation’s community banks and develop tools to empower them to speak up and be heard.
January 01, 2022 | Independent Banker   Advocacy 

ICBA Statement on Community Bank Leverage Ratio Guidance

Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on new interagency guidance that indicates temporary relief from the 9% Community Bank Leverage Ratio will expire on Dec. 31.
December 22, 2021 | Press Release   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness 

ICBA updates marketing communications toolkit for 2022

ICBA updated its complimentary "Tell Your Story" Marketing Communications Toolkit for 2022 to help community banks plan for the year ahead.
December 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy 

1071 comment letter deadline nears

The deadline for ICBA’s grassroots comment letter campaign on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 data collection and reporting requirements is rapidly approaching.
December 22, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Lending 

New ICBA podcast recaps opposition to Omarova nomination

The latest episode of ICBA’s Communities of Innovation podcast focuses on ICBA’s public opposition to professor Saule Omarova’s nomination to lead the OCC.
December 21, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   OCC 

OSHA updates employer mandate compliance dates following court ruling

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration updated the compliance dates for its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employers with 100 or more employees following a court ruling allowing it to proceed.
December 21, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Crisis Preparedness 

New ICBA podcast focuses on fraud prevention

The third episode of ICBA’s Communities of Innovation podcast focuses on fraud-prevention strategies and partnerships.
December 20, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Technology 

OCC issues revised HMDA exam procedures

The OCC issued revised interagency Home Mortgage Disclosure Act examination procedures for determining HMDA compliance. The new procedures update interagency procedures issued in April 2019.
December 20, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

Court rules in favor of employer vaccine mandate

A federal appeals court ruled that the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employers with 100 or more employees may proceed, reversing a separate court’s administrative stay of enforcement.
December 20, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness 

ICBA on American Banker podcast: New IRS reporting still a threat

ICBA continues its battle against the IRS bank reporting proposal, ICBA’s Paul Merski says on a new American Banker podcast.
December 17, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Taxes & Budget 

Complete 1071 grassroots resources available

ICBA offers comprehensive resources for its grassroots comment letter campaign on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 data collection and reporting requirements.
December 17, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Lending 

OCC seeks feedback on climate principles for large banks

The OCC requested feedback on draft principles designed to help identify and manage climate-related financial risks at OCC-supervised institutions with more than $100 billion in assets.
December 17, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy 

Agencies adjust CRA asset thresholds

Federal regulators announced the annual adjustment to Community Reinvestment Act thresholds.
December 17, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA, The Venture Center Announce 2022 Fintech Cohort Lineup for Kickoff Event

ICBA and The Venture Center, in partnership with the State of Arkansas, will formally introduce the 11 growth-stage fintech companies selected for the 2022 ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program.
December 16, 2021 | Press Release   Technology 

Senate, House continue pushback on SBA direct lending

ICBA’s grassroots campaign against efforts to authorize SBA direct lending under its 7(a) loan program got a boost Tuesday in the Senate and House.
December 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending Small Business Lending 

McWilliams denies including merger review vote in FDIC minutes

FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams denied a request by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra to include in the agency’s official minutes a vote to request public feedback on its bank-merger framework.
December 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

As Senate meets on stablecoins, ICBA urges coordinated approach

Policymakers should take a comprehensive, coordinated regulatory approach to stablecoins and other digital assets, ICBA told the Senate Banking Committee.
December 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity Digital Assets Technology 

CFPB updates electronic fund transfer FAQs

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau updated its frequently asked questions on electronic fund transfers.
December 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

FinCEN seeks comments on modernizing AML/CFT regime

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network requested comments on updating the U.S. anti-money-laundering and countering-the-financing-of-terrorism regime.
December 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

OCC issues final rule rescinding CRA rule

The OCC issued a final rule to rescind its June 2020 Community Reinvestment Act rule and reinstate the 1995 interagency CRA rule.
December 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

1071 campaign now open to small-biz customers

ICBA is calling on community bankers to enlist their small-business customers in the industry’s comment letter campaign on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 data collection and reporting requirements.
December 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending 

1071 leads CFPB rulemaking agenda

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its fall 2021 agenda of regulatory matters it plans to pursue through Oct. 31, 2022.
December 15, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Lending 

Small-biz customers can now join 1071 campaign

ICBA is calling on community bankers to enlist their small-business customers in the industry’s comment letter campaign on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 data collection and reporting requirements.
December 14, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending 

CISA warns of Java logging library vulnerability

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency urged the private and public sectors to actively address a critical vulnerability that a growing set of threat actors are exploiting.
December 14, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity 

ICBA Urges Fed to Accelerate Flow of FedNow Information

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) asked the Federal Reserve to accelerate the flow of information about the FedNow instant payments service to ensure community banks have the data they need to maximize participation ahead of the 2023 launch.
December 13, 2021 | Press Release   Payments Faster Payments 

From the CEO: ICBA and Community Banker Leadership Prevails Again

Amid an outsized response to the pandemic’s economic implications, community bankers have in 2021 once again proven to be formidable leaders both in your communities and in Washington — with ICBA by your side and leading the way.
December 13, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy 

2021’s Best Community Banks to Work For

Premium benefits packages, professional development and TLC during the pandemic—this year’s winners do everything in their power to keep their community bankers happy and fulfilled. We asked both leaders and staffers to tell us what makes their community banks stand out as employers.
December 12, 2021 | Independent Banker  

Recording of 1071 grassroots briefing available

Community bankers can access an on-demand recording of yesterday’s ICBA briefing on its campaign targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 proposal.
December 10, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Lending 

CFPB report spotlights mortgage, payday, remittance violations

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its Supervisory Highlights report for the first half of 2021, which spotlights legal violations identified during exams of financial institutions with more than $10 billion in assets.
December 10, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

IMF researchers urge global crypto regulatory regime

A new International Monetary Fund article urges regulators across the globe to develop comprehensive international standards for digital assets.
December 10, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity Digital Assets 

ICBA backs bill to extend CBLR relief

ICBA expressed support for legislation to allow federal banking regulators to implement a community bank leverage ratio of 8-8.5% through 2024.
December 10, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Advocacy Crisis Preparedness 

House passes ICBA-backed LIBOR transition bill

The House passed ICBA-supported legislation to support the transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates.
December 09, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending Mortgage Rules 

ICBA 1071 advocacy briefing today

ICBA is hosting a complimentary briefing on its campaign targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 proposal at 3 p.m. (Eastern time) today, Dec. 9.
December 09, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Lending 

As crypto CEOs testify, ICBA urges coordinated regulatory approach

With cryptocurrency CEOs testifying before Congress, ICBA called on policymakers to enact a comprehensive, coordinated regulatory approach to digital assets that ensures innovation is undertaken safely.
December 09, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cybersecurity Digital Assets Payments 

ICBA-opposed Omarova nomination withdrawn

Law professor Saule Omarova withdrew her nomination to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency following public opposition by ICBA and affiliated state community banking groups.
December 08, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   OCC 

CFPB issues final rule on LIBOR transition

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule facilitating the transition away from the LIBOR interest rate index for consumer financial products.
December 08, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

HUD issues guidance on special-purpose credit programs

The Department of Housing and Urban Development released guidance clarifying that special-purpose credit programs that conform with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B generally do not violate the Federal Fair Housing Act.
December 08, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

FinCEN proposes rule to implement beneficial owner reforms

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a proposed rule to implement ICBA-advocated beneficial ownership reporting provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act passed in 2020.
December 08, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Technology 

Multi-Factor Authentication – Widely Adopted, Effective Protection

Static passwords alone are no longer a viable tool for identifying customers. With payments fraud rising year after year, and consumers becoming more comfortable with making payments online, the importance of authentication has never been more crucial.
December 07, 2021 | Payments Quarterly   Payments 

ICBA Statement on the Withdrawal of Saule Omarova’s OCC Nomination

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the withdrawal of Cornell University law professor Saule Omarova’s nomination to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
December 07, 2021 | Press Release   Advocacy OCC 

Understanding Velocity BIN Attacks and How to Address Them

It’s Friday night and you are enjoying your well-deserved, stress-free night when your work phone rings. It’s your call center manager informing you of a rise in complaints of unauthorized transactions—all at the same merchant.
December 07, 2021 | Payments Quarterly   Payments 

Telltale signs to avoid becoming a victim of a social engineering attack

The financial services industry is constantly under siege against would-be fraudsters seeking to exploit vulnerabilities—system or man-made—to launch an attack.
December 07, 2021 | Payments Quarterly   Payments 

Using Loyalty Programs to Grow Your Portfolio

Loyalty programs are a tremendous tool for community banks to build trust with consumers and deliver an enhanced shopping experience. These cardholder loyalty programs have always been about showing appreciation for customers.
December 07, 2021 | Payments Quarterly   Payments 

Grow and Protect

I’m a glass-half-full banker. So, while we can look at 2021 as a year of challenges, we should also take a moment to recognize the opportunities that have emerged in their wake.
December 07, 2021 | Payments Quarterly   Payments 

ICBA/Travelers Deliver Over $4 Million in Dividends for Participating Community Banks

ICBA today announced that a dividend of $4.1 million will be shared by nearly 1,200 member banks based on their participation in the ICBA/Travelers insurance program in 2020.
December 07, 2021 | Press Release  

This week: ICBA advocacy briefing on 1071 push

ICBA this week is hosting a complimentary briefing on its campaign targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 proposal.
December 07, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending 

ICBA to CFPB: Extend inquiry of largest tech firms

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should extend its inquiry of the six largest technology companies to all tech firms that participate in payments and financial services or hold consumer data, ICBA said.
December 07, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance Payments Technology 

Growing your credit portfolio starts with knowing the numbers

You’ve probably heard the saying, “the numbers don’t lie” and in the financial world, it is more than a cliché it’s usually a fact.
December 07, 2021 | Payments Quarterly   Payments 

Credit unions report Q3 growth

Shares and deposits at federally insured credit unions increased 14.4% in the third quarter from the previous year, the National Credit Union Administration reported.
December 07, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

ICBA advocacy briefing this week on 1071 push

ICBA this week is hosting a complimentary briefing on its campaign targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1071 proposal.
December 06, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Lending 

Boozman op-ed targets postal banking pilot

A U.S. Postal Service pilot program to test postal banking will further complicate already-strained mail delivery, Sen. John Boozman (Ark.) wrote in a new op-ed.
December 06, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Postal Service Banking 

New ICBA video: Call for credit union hearings

ICBA released a new video distinguishing taxpaying community banks from tax-exempt credit unions.
December 03, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Credit Unions 

ICBA 1071 campaign continues

ICBA this week began calling on community bankers to submit personalized comments on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposal to implement Dodd-Frank Section 1071 collection and reporting requirements.
December 03, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA urges cannabis banking safe harbor in Senate defense bill

ICBA called on senators to support the inclusion of an ICBA-advocated cannabis banking safe harbor as an amendment to a pending defense authorization bill.
December 03, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Cannabis banking 

Romero Rainey: Act now on 1071 proposal

ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey called on community bankers to join the grassroots push on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 1071 proposal.
December 02, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

ICBA’s Romero Rainey, Paul Merski Named Top Lobbyists by The Hill

Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and ICBA Group Executive Vice President of Congressional Relations and Strategy Paul Merski are featured on The Hill’s 2021 list of the top influencers in the nation.
December 02, 2021 | Press Release   Advocacy 

Regulators update BSA/AML exam manual

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council updated its BSA/AML Examination Manual, which instructs examiners on assessing BSA/AML compliance.
December 02, 2021 | ICBA NewsWatch Today   Compliance 

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